When the rains came 100 years ago

4:24 AM,
Mar. 24, 2013

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Written by

Peggy Mershon
News Journal correspondent

The rain began on Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913, and by Wednesday a record 10.5 inches had fallen in Richland County, overflowing the streams into the lowlands.

It was the worst flood in the area's recorded history, leaving tens of thousands of dollars of property lost in Mansfield, but only one casualty.

Statewide, the death toll reached 456 at one count, with cities like Dayton and Columbus bearing the brunt. A good indication that the need was greatest elsewhere was when Mansfield's famous Company M of the National Guard was sent to Dayton. ...